The Lebanese newspaper Assafir reported Saturday that the Hizbullah has put 50,000 of its fighters in a state of high alert and evacuated all buildings in the area designated for social or political purposes in recent days. Hizbullah vowed to retaliate the assassination of its commander Imad Moghniyeh who was killed in Damascus by alleged Israeli agents. Tel Aviv has denied any involvement.

Meanwhile, another Lebanese newspaper, Al-Akhbar, reported that Lebanese officials believe a serious military confrontation with Israel will erupt in the near future. "This possibility has been raised in intensive discussions being held between Hizbullah officials and Iranian and Syrian officials. The various armed Palestinian organizations have also declared a state of high alert," the report added.

In another report, well informed sources told Al-Akhbar that investigations into the assassination of Moghniyeh identified the owners of the car that exploded and killed him as he passed by it. According to the daily, a number of people were arrested in connection to the incident.